Iran believes that it is making progress on multiple fronts in this respect. It is working on new deals with Russia, it believes it has much warmer relations with Riyadh than in the past and it is pleased to see new diplomatic initiatives between Syria and the Arab League.
Iran is also making moves against Kurdish groups. Recent clashes with the group PJAK reveal that either PJAK is increasing its operation, or that more likely Iran is trying to clip the group’s wings by increasing operations against PJAK. Iran has in the past carried out attacks in Iraq against Kurdish dissidents. It may now want to up the pressure on PJAK at the same time that Turkey’s tensions with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) are growing.
Russia, Syria and Turkey are planning to hold a meeting in Astana regarding Syria. Iran may be making moves to work more closely with Turkey. READ MORE
